Civil Commotion

From CEOpedia | Management online

Civil Commotion is:

  • a violent and mostly dangerous situation in which many people in a public place cause serious damage that basic insurance agreements do not usually pay for. What is more, there is a lot off. Civil commotions sometimes involve setting fire to buildings like schools, hospitals or houses, breaking windows, looting, turning over cars or defacing property. Standard homeowners' policies and property insurance policies typically cover losses caused by civil commotion and riots.
  • "is essentially a kind of domestic disturbance, referring to disorders such as occur among citizens or within the limits of one community"(Rasen P. Sweeney J. Gillick J. 2017, p.1245).
  • "What is this but a civil commotion? No definition has been attempted to be given what it is. It is said, that this is a civil commotion, listened from usurped power and rebellion. It is admitted that this kind of insurance may amount to high treason, and, to be sure, it may, But the office do not put their expectation upon trying whether they were guilty of high treason or not"(Hammond E. 2009, p.74).

Scope of the problem

Damage to property resulting from riots and civil disorders across the country has reached huge and giant proportions and may increase in magnitude in the near future. As a consequence, owners of property may find it difficult to obtain riot and civil commotion insurance at a price that they can afford to pay. For example, reinsurance for riot and civil commotion losses may be available to primary insurers from reinsurers only at much higher costs which would ultimately have to be passed on to the insurance-buying public.

One of the consequences of such an insurance market development would be critical to the national economy. It would be dangerous to the availability of credit, discourage private investments and deter national economic growth(Hughes R.J. 1968,p.162).

Riot and Civil Commotion Insurance

Riot relates to at least three people meet for a cause who express their message through disruptive, aggressive and often violent means. Civil commotion relates to the same conduct made by a larger group of vandals. When either causes damage to property, a homeowners or property insurance policy might cover the policyholder for the loss.

In addition to physical damage, the policy might also cover business breaks. The owner of a broken commercial property whose operations have been suspended because of a civil commotion or a riot might be able to file a claim for lost earnings. A store owner, for example, can claim that they were forced to lock up their store and, therefore, lost clients on account of a riot or civil commotion.

Examples of Civil Commotion

Civil commotion is a term used to describe a disturbance of the peace caused by a group of people, generally in the form of a public protest or demonstration. It is usually characterized by disorderly and disruptive behavior, such as shouting, chanting, vandalism, and blocking public roads.

  • One example of civil commotion is the nationwide protests that occurred during the summer of 2020 in response to the death of George Floyd. After Floyd, a black man, was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Americans of all races, creeds, and backgrounds took to the streets to protest systemic racism and police brutality. These demonstrations ranged from peaceful marches to more disruptive forms of protest, such as looting and property damage.
  • A second example of civil commotion occurred in 2011 when citizens of the Middle Eastern country of Syria took to the streets to protest the oppressive regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The peaceful protests quickly spiraled into a violent civil war that lasted for several years, with rebels and government forces engaging in armed conflict. The civil war ultimately led to the displacement of millions of Syrians and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
  • Finally, the Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011 was another example of civil commotion. This protest was organized to bring attention to economic inequality and the perceived influence of large corporations and the wealthy on American politics. Participants occupied public spaces in cities around the world, often engaging in disruptive behavior such as blocking traffic, setting up tents, and holding rallies.

Advantages of Civil Commotion

Civil commotion is a collective action of people or groups of people who, usually as a result of a conflict or disagreement, act together to disrupt the peace, usually with the intention of protesting or expressing dissent. Here are some advantages of civil commotion:

  • It serves as a means of voicing the grievances of people who feel that their rights or interests are not being adequately addressed. This can lead to positive changes in government policy or regulations that may benefit the public.
  • Civil commotion can also raise public awareness of an issue and mobilize people to take action. It can bring attention to a cause and garner support for it.
  • Civil commotion can also create a sense of unity and solidarity among people of different backgrounds who share a common cause. It can bring people together and form new social networks.
  • Finally, civil commotion can be an effective way of pressuring those in power to make changes. It can be an effective tool in advancing political and social change.

Limitations of Civil Commotion

Civil commotion is an event where a large number of people are involved in a disturbance or violent behavior. While civil commotion can be used in some circumstances as a form of protest or to make a statement, it can also be used for malicious purposes and can lead to a variety of serious consequences. The following are some of the limitations of civil commotion:

  • The most apparent limitation of civil commotion is the potential for violence associated with it. This can lead to damage to property, harm to individuals, and serious disruption to the local community.
  • Civil commotion can also lead to a breakdown of order with people acting impulsively and without restraint. This can make it difficult to restore order once the event is over.
  • Civil commotion can also have a negative impact on people's perception of the cause or issue being protested. The general public may be deterred from supporting the issue if they feel it is associated with violence and disruption.
  • Finally, civil commotion can lead to legal repercussions for those involved. Depending on the jurisdiction, participants may face criminal charges for their involvement.

Other approaches related to Civil Commotion

Civil Commotion is a term used to describe events of mass civil unrest, such as riots, protests, and other forms of collective action. There are several other approaches to understanding and responding to civil commotion which can be used to mitigate the damage caused by these events. These include:

  • Non-violent resistance: This approach is based on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that non-violent protests could be used to disrupt the status quo and challenge oppressive regimes. This approach is often used in protest movements, and is seen as a way to influence policy without the use of violence.
  • Negotiation and mediation: This approach involves using dialogue and negotiation to resolve disputes and reach peaceful agreements between stakeholders. This approach is often used when dealing with civil unrest, as it is seen as a way to de-escalate tensions and build consensus.
  • Legal action: This approach involves using the legal system to address civil commotion. This could involve filing lawsuits, pursuing criminal charges, or seeking injunctions. This is often seen as a way to hold individuals or organizations accountable for their actions and deter future unrest.

In summary, there are several approaches to addressing civil commotion, including non-violent resistance, negotiation and mediation, and legal action. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, and should be considered carefully when responding to civil unrest.


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References

Author: Monika Broszkiewicz

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